South African Family Practice (E-Journal)
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Participants’ perspectives on the medical practitioner compassion competency questionnaire
No full textBackground: The study qualitatively reviewed the Medical Practitioner Compassion Competency Questionnaire (MPCCQ). The revision aimed to extend the questionnaire and address the factor fission found within three subscales of the MPCCQ, namely, mindfulness, emotion recognition, and compassion action orientation.Methods: A literature review was conducted to inform the development of additional items for the questionnaire. Thereafter, 14 subject matter experts (SMEs) were asked to assess the items in the mindfulness, emotion recognition, and compassion action orientation subscales. Experts provided feedback in an open-ended format, allowing them to freely express any concerns or comments about each item. In addition, they rated each item’s clarity and validity on a scale from 1 (not clear or valid) to 3 (clear and valid). Lawshe’s content validity ratios were calculated to assess the level of consensus among the SMEs and to quantify the need for revision.Results: Eight items showed statistically significant disapproval from SMEs and were rewritten based on the qualitative feedback from the SMEs. In total, 30 items were amended according to SME suggestions along with previous qualitative data collected by Visser.Conclusion: The revised questionnaire aims to more accurately and comprehensively capture compassion competency in medical practitioners on the sub-dimensions identified by the original author, ultimately supporting the ongoing development of compassion competency measurement in medical practitioners.Contribution: In addition, this study contributes to the body of knowledge on qualitative methods for constructing behavioural observation scales
Mastering your fellowship: Part 4, 2025
No full textThe ‘Mastering your Fellowship’ series provides examples of the question format encountered in the written and clinical examinations for the Fellowship of the College of Family Physicians of South Africa (FCFP [SA]) examination. The series aims to help family medicine registrars prepare for this examination
Stepping up in clinical governance: The leadership challenge for new family physicians
No full textNo abstract availabl
The critical role of primary care clinicians in the early detection of ocular surface squamous neoplasia
No full textOcular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) encompasses a spectrum of conjunctival tumours and, while rare globally, is the most common ocular malignancy in sub-Saharan Africa. Its rising incidence, primarily driven by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, presents significant challenges in clinical diagnosis, as these lesions often share characteristics with other conjunctival lesions. In South Africa, where risk factors such as HIV, human papillomavirus infection and excessive sun exposure are prevalent, primary care clinicians play a crucial role in identifying and referring cases for early intervention. Ocular surface squamous neoplasia is often the first indication of HIV in patients who are otherwise unaware of their status when they present to healthcare workers, making it essential for healthcare workers to screen for HIV and initiate antiretroviral therapy. Early recognition of at-risk patients and prompt referral of suspicious lesions are imperative to improve patient outcomes and prevent vision loss
Perspectives of speech-language therapists on patient safety incidents in South Africa
No full textBackground: Patient safety incidents (PSIs) cause harm to patients, including falls, accidental ingestion and physical assault. Despite their importance in healthcare, limited information exists on how South African speech-language therapists (SLTs) perceive them in the public and private sectors. This study applied the Donabedian model of patient safety and healthcare quality to SLTs’ perspectives on PSIs.Methods: Free attitude interviews with 10 South African SLTs explored the environment (where and who), processes (how and why) and outcomes (events and consequences) of PSIs. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically using a six-phase deductive and inductive approach within the Donabedian model.Results: The Donabedian model’s three components (structure, process, outcome) led to six sub-themes, highlighting its applicability to SLTs’ perspectives on PSIs. It revealed how factors such as clinical environment, care delivery and patient outcomes influence SLTs’ perceptions.Conclusion: Understanding SLTs’ perspectives is essential for addressing environmental issues, developing training, institutional inductions and audits that prevent and manage PSIs, and improving service quality.Contribution: This study emphasises engaging practitioners to understand factors affecting PSIs. It contributes to improving SLT training and practice in South Africa to enhance patient safety
Adherence to hypertension management at a rural hospital in Limpopo: A cross-sectional study
No full textBackground: Non-adherence to treatment remains a major contributing factor to uncontrolled hypertension and its complications. In South Africa, an estimated 50% of adults are living with hypertension and between 41.9% and 45.5% adhere to their treatment. Knowing reasons for non-adherence, therefore, is important in the treatment of hypertension.
Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 243 hypertensive patients was conducted from May to July 2022 at Voortrekker Hospital, Mokopane, Limpopo province. The questionnaire included socio-demographic and hypertension-related medical information and adherence was assessed using the previously validated Therapeutic Adherence Scale for Hypertensive Patients (TASHP).
Results: Forty-two per cent of participants adhered to their antihypertensive treatment, whereas 56% controlled their blood pressure. Variables such as employment (p = 0.0076), secondary and tertiary education (p = 0.0048), duration of hypertension of less than a year (p = 0.019) and level of income (more than R3000/month) (p = 0.033) were significantly associated with better adherence.
Conclusion: Adherence to treatment and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients in the Mokopane area is still inadequate, although within the same range as reported in the literature. Effective strategies must be developed to address adherence, especially for vulnerable patients.
Contribution: The study identified that only 42% of patients in a rural district hospital setting adhere to their hypertension management. Furthermore, it was found that patients less educated, unemployed, having an income of less than R3000/month or living with hypertension for more than 15 years are significantly more vulnerable to poor adherence
Sedentary behaviour of pregnant women in South Africa: A cross-sectional study
No full textBackground: Sedentary behaviour is a growing global public health concern that affects not only the general population but also pregnant women. Inactivity during pregnancy could have implications for the development of cardio-metabolic complications such as prenatal obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, as well as mental well-being. Encouraging light prenatal physical exercise is crucial in improving maternal health of mothers as well as the baby. However, information on the sedentary behaviour of pregnant women in South Africa is limited, particularly in the Eastern Cape region. Therefore, this study investigates the proportion of time pregnant women spend in sedentary behaviours in the context of the Eastern Cape in South Africa.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the sedentary time of 1082 pregnant women attending public health facilities in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa, was assessed using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the sedentary time of the participants.Results: The participants’ mean age was 27.0 years, and the standard deviation was 6.2 years. The pregnant women spent more than 3 h per day sitting (40.0%). Furthermore, a significant proportion spent 4 h to more than 6 h per day watching television or videos (46.2%) and sitting, reading, or making phone calls (51.6%) during their off-work physical activity.Conclusion: The majority of pregnant women exhibit high levels of sedentary behaviour.Contribution: Measures to encourage active physical activity during pregnancy are crucial in preventing a sedentary lifestyle among pregnant women
Generative AI tools in reflective essays: Moderating moral injuries and epistemic injustices
No full textThe emergence of large language models such as ChatGPT is already influencing health care delivery, research and training for the next cohort of health care professionals. In a consumer-driven market, their capabilities to generate new forms of knowing and doing for experts and novices present both promises and threats to the livelihood of patients. This article explores burdens imposed by the use of generative artificial intelligence tools in reflective essays submitted by a fifth of first-year health sciences students. In a curriculum centred around Vision 2030 at a South African university, deviations from prescribed guidelines in an essay requiring students to demonstrate an understanding of the models of disability are presented as moral injuries and epistemic injustices. Considering our obligations as educators to contribute to a humanising praxis, the author evaluates an eroded trust between educators and students and offers an interim solution for attaining skills in academic literacy in a developing country.Contribution: This article provides health sciences educators with an opportunity to pause and reflect on how they would like to integrate generative AI tools into their assessments
Celebrating our journal’s commitment to strengthening primary health care research
No full textNo abstract available
Post-exposure prophylaxis for sexual assault victim-survivors: Guidelines and best practices
No full textThis study addresses the importance of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in the context of sexual assault. Post-exposure prophylaxis serves as a critical intervention to reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and unintended pregnancies for victim-survivors. Immediate access to PEP, emergency contraception and comprehensive medical assessments is essential for effective care. The study outlines the steps healthcare providers must take, including timely administration of prophylaxis, monitoring for side effects and offering psychosocial support to victim-survivors. It emphasises the need for follow-up visits to ensure ongoing care and the importance of implementing risk-reduction strategies until final infection outcomes are confirmed. Additionally, the role of standardised documentation, such as the J88 form, is highlighted for collecting evidence in cases of sexual violence, ensuring that healthcare practitioners understand their responsibilities in promoting justice. The study underscores the social obligation of healthcare professionals to combat gender-based violence, advocating for reporting mechanisms for child victims and appropriate referral pathways for positive test results. By prioritising the health and wellbeing of victim-survivors, the healthcare community can significantly contribute to their recovery and empowerment, ultimately fostering a supportive environment that addresses both medical and emotional needs following sexual assault